Thursday 18 December 2014

Advent of Winter on the Chuo Line

EMU JR East 233 series stands at Ochanomizu Station on the Chuo Line
 
Autumn has gone and winter is here in the Tokyo Metropolis. The maximum daytime temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius every day. The leaves on the ginkgo trees have already turned yellow and started defoliating. Once a cold wave comes, it always snows in the areas on the Sea of Japan. In contrast, it is always clear in the regions here on the Pacific Ocean. The high mountain ranges, which run nearly the full length of the country, give the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean sides vastly different climatic patterns in this country.

I am going to introduce two spots this time of year in the city center on the Chuo Line, which is my commuting route.

The top photo shows colored leaves in the Ochanomizu Station area. Many trees are seen in Yushima Seido, which was established as Japan's first national school in the 17th century. The commuter train on the left is the EMU JR East E233 series on the Chuo Rapid Line. You can also see subway tracks of the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line adjacent to the Chuo Rapid Line.

The second photo is a street view in the Moto-Akasaka area near Yotsuya Station. This area is located near the state guest house in the city center. Since it was the weekend, the area was very quiet. There were far fewer cars on the road than on weekdays. I could enjoy viewing the beautiful colored leaves along the street.

Time flies so quickly and the year 2014 is ending soon.

 
Colored leaves are seen near Yotsuya Station on the Chuo Line